theTYPEAhippie Podcast | ChiCast

So friends, can you believe we made it to 100 episodes? Just you and I and our theTYPEAhippie community. What a gift! One of my dearest, best girlfriends Christine Fuller interviewed me for this episode. It was so much fun and it reminded me on the good days and the bad that I have the best folks in the world in my life. My heart is filled with love and gratitude for the journey of this podcast and because I'm so damn grateful to have all of you amazing souls to live life alongside. It is bittersweetness (my word) that this will be the last episode I'm recording and sharing with you for a little while. You see, I want and need to elevate my podcasting game. I want to uplevel theTYPEAhippie Podcast | ChiCast so that I can do right by you and serve you better. This means I am giving myself the space of grace to actually learn how to properly produce a podcast which will take time, money, energy and attention. But don't fret, I will be back soon enough! Sending you love and light! To connect with me: * Website: www.thetypeahippie.com  

I came to know who Lolade Siyonbola was as many of you because she had the Yale Police Department called on her while she snoozed in a common room within the Yale Graduate School dorm. And the student who called the police on her, a white woman, had previously called the police on one of Lolade's friends, another black student. I wanted her to share why this matters and has to stop. Bio coming soon.

I had the learned about 3N1 Fitness before I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Saudia and Michelle. Several friends knew I was in the market for a new fitness center/studio and they suggested 3N1 Fitness. I went to the studio's grand opening and met the pair and invited them to be on the podcast. Dr Saudia Major, a native of South Carolina, is a Clinical Psychologist at the Ann Arbor VA Hospital and Clinical Instructor at the University of Michigan, specializing in Geriatric & Health Psychology. She has lived with multiple sclerosis since 2003.  Dr Major uses her personal experiences of releasing over 100 lbs and living with MS to educate members of the community about behavioral techniques one can apply to obtain a greater quality of life. She has incorporated exercise into her life as part of her holistic disease management program. Dr Major is certain her exercise and nutrition programs have played a pivotal role in the effective management of her MS. Michelle Buggs is a native of Illinois, Michelle excelled in basketball throughout high school and college. After graduating from Kent State University with a BA in Communications, Michelle became a Lifestyle Fitness Coach (LFC) as well as a certified group, TRX and spinning instructor. In 2006, she returned to competitive sports, competing in her first two figure competitions (genre of bodybuilding) with great success. Following her passion, Michelle competed in many shows over the coming years and earned her Professional status as an NGA Figure Athlete in 2013, and has gone on to place 1st in six of eight professional competitions. In 2017, she swept her season placing 1st in all three shows and defending two 1st place titles. Michelle enjoys sharing her love of fun and fitness with clients and the greater community.  To connect with Dr Major and/or Michelle: * Website: www.3n1fit.com * Email: info@3n1fit.com * Facebook: 3N1 Fitness

I remember the first time I heard Anuja Rajendra speak. I thought, I must have her on the podcast. She spoke of being a mother to four, a wife, a businesswoman and that she was running for Michigan State Senate. And I thought, "Oh yes you are!" Fast forward several months, I received a mailer about Anuja Rajendra running for Michigan State Senate. I reached out and you get to hear our conversation. As the daughter of immigrants, a mother, a small business owner, and an activist, Anuja Rajendra's unique life experiences speak to the fabric of Washtenaw County's vibrant community. She's a problem-solver and she will bring a fresh voice to the Michigan State Senate. Her father came to Michigan from India with little other than a dream of a better life for their family in 1970. He earned his PhD from Michigan State University and worked as an engineer. Her mother was a schoolteacher in India and later stayed home with her three children.  She was the first in her family to be born in America. But her parents struggled to make ends meet — something that many working families still know all too well today. So her grandparents cared for her in India for several years and she returned to Michigan at age six. She has enormous gratitude for what this great state and country offered to her family. That's why this was the only place she wanted to raise my children. She grew up in Okemos and graduated from public schools there. She was the vice-president of the local chapter of Young Democrats. She went on to earn both an engineering degree and an MBA from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she played rugby. Anuja's husband, Vijay Sankaran, was from New Jersey, but she convinced him to move to Michigan. They have lived in Ann Arbor for over two decades. They are the parents of two sons and two daughters we adopted after they were abandoned at a train station in India. Her children certainly provided her with plenty of material when she wrote the “Mom” column for The Ann. In her career in both the private and non-profit sectors and as a volunteer and activist, she has tried to help nurture diverse communities. It has always been important to her to build spaces where people of all ages, races, socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and genders have come together to find common ground and raise each other up. Many people in Michigan and across the country are deeply frightened right now. The basic rights of women, LGBTQ folks, and people of color are under attack from the president, Congress, and our state government. Immigrants and refugees now live in fear that they or their loved ones will be hauled away and sent back to war-torn countries. But even in these trying times, there is hope. It has brought out the best in people. She saw that when she took her eight-year-old son to the Women's March in Washington, D.C. in January 2017. She saw that fighting to keep our kids safe as a member of Washtenaw County's Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.   And that's why, like so many women and people of color, Anuja was inspired to run for office for the first time in 2018. We need progressive, diverse, and inclusive leadership in state government. Washtenaw County should lead by example. In the State Senate, she won't be afraid to make bold decisions. Her first bill will be banning most concealed weapons in Michigan. It's time for progressives to stop playing defense on issues and stand up for our values. One of my core beliefs is that everyone must have a seat at the table. As a State Senator, Anuja will focus on inclusion to bridge and heal the diverse communities that make up Washtenaw County. And she will be proud to represent an area that she believes can be a model of progressivism, innovation, and intersectionality for all of Michigan. We all have struggles. Like so many, her parents came here in search of the American Dream. They worked hard so that Anuja and her sisters could go to college and make a difference in the world. Anuja has tried to honor their sacrifice by earning two degrees at U of M, working in the non-profit sector, starting a small business, and raising a family. After the birth of her second child, she had a serious health scare. She was given too many opioids while recovering. This led to heart complications. Instead of nursing her newborn and taking care of her 18-month-old, she fought for her life in the Emergency Room. She was able to slowly recover, but had to have in-home nursing care for months. Fortunately, she never developed an opioid addiction, but this experience gave her an understanding of what far too many families in Michigan are going through. And Anuha was shocked to learn that for all our medical advances, the U.S. still has one of the highest postpartum mortality rates in the world. The rates are even higher for women of color like herself. She could have been one of those statistics. And if her family didn't have good health insurance, she probably would have been. That was a very frightening time for her young family. And it ended up inspiring her to start her business, BollyFit, and focus on a humanistic approach to health and wellness as a way to create a more peaceful world. A decade earlier, she started her first company, Moon-Baked Creations, at age 24. That was just after the untimely death of my sister. The Rachana Rajendra Bird Sanctuary at Michigan State University is named for her in a beautiful tribute. As Anuja was grieving, she decided to help people engage using art as therapy to improve mental health and community connections. She has always tried to emerge from challenges stronger and more determined to help others. After selling her business, she decided to pursue an MBA at U of M's Ross School of Business. She established herself as a student leader, serving as president and co-chair of multiple organizations and bringing elite business schools across the country together for a massive food drive. She co-authored a Wharton-published case study on public-private partnerships to help alleviate public health crises. She was honored to be chosen to deliver a commencement speech for her graduating MBA class at Crisler Arena in 2004. She has years of experience working in the business and nonprofit sectors. She was a successful leader at American Power Conversion Corp., a Fortune 500 company, where she created a customer satisfaction program that was implemented nationally. As Development Director for the Ann Arbor Summer Festival, she achieved a record-breaking sponsorship rate, expanding not only the base, but the diversity of donors. Anuja feels that her life's work has been to decrease the toxic stress prevalent in society today and improve the lives of people in Michigan, especially underserved and immigrant populations. She has focused on empowering women and children to be healthier mentally and physically, and to realize their untapped potential. She has taken her work one step further by training other men and women so they can improve the health of their own communities. And so in 2007, Anuja started BollyFit, a fitness and dance studio in Ann Arbor. We have mobilized thousands of Michiganders to feel healthier through grassroots community organizing. She also helped Meryl Davis and Charlie White, two Michiganders on Team USA, win a silver medal for ice dancing at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics with a program that bridged cultures. BollyFit has grown to have a global presence with our empowerment skills training. Anuja has been asked to give speeches about her experiences to several groups, including TEDxDetroit and in a commencement address for Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility.      Learning is a lifelong process and Anuja has always enthusiastically sought out opportunities to expand her knowledge and the efforts of my community. Helping others has always been a top priority for Anuja. She was appointed to the Governor's statewide council on physical fitness and the State of Play task force formed by the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation and Aspen Institute on the health and nutrition of Michigan's youth and underserved populations. In 2015, she received a Congressional Award and was inducted into the Michigan Indian Women's Hall of Fame for my contributions to health and wellness in Michigan. She haas volunteered for many schools, libraries, and community service organizations. She has collaborated with nonprofits, small businesses, and schools, such as Beaumont Hospital, Ann Arbor Active Against ALS, and Mitch Albom's S.A.Y. Clinic, to serve Michigan communities. Anuja is a mentor with Walker's Legacy, assisting women entrepreneurs. She is also an Ambassador for University of Michigan's LEAD Scholars Program to support diversity and people of color. Anuja has been active in progressive and Democratic causes, starting with her time leading the local Young Dems chapter in high school. She has volunteered for Democratic campaigns, including those of John Kerry and Hillary Clinton. Working at the grassroots level has always inspired her and she's been proud to organize for groups like Moms Demand Action and the Ann Arbor Advocacy Group. When Anuja decided to run for State Senate in 2018, she was so humbled by the support she received from people from Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti and everywhere in between. She knows she is not a household name. She's also not a longtime public official or a party insider. She's a mom, a small businesswoman, and a problem-solver. And she thinks working people and middle-class families in Washtenaw County are looking for change. They want someone who believes our diversity is our greatest strength and in giving everyone a seat at the table. She is running for State Senate because we need a new way and a fresh, inclusive voice. That's what we need in Washtenaw County if we want to make real, meaningful, and progressive change in our state. Anuja believes in the best in people. And she will never give up. That's why she wants to be your State Senator.   To connect with Anuja: * Instagram: @anuja.rajendra * Twitter: @Anuja_Rajendra

I came across Professor Jessica Kapp when I found out about a watchlist and that Dr Kapp was on said watchlist. I reached out to hear her side of the story. Jess Kapp earned her PhD in geology at UCLA in 2004. Her research combined field mapping with U-Pb geochronology to study the history of the Nyainqentanglha mountain range in southern Tibet. Early on she discovered a love for teaching and is currently a senior lecturer and the associate department head in the department of geosciences at the University of Arizona in Tucson, where she teaches introductory geology and historical geology. She and her husband, a fellow geologist, have two young sons, ages 12 and 10. Jess writes fiction and non-fiction, and is currently finishing a memoir about how the death of her father, finding geology, and her high-altitude field adventures in Tibet changed her life.  To connect with Professor Kapp: * Website: www.jesskapp.com * Faculty Profile * Facebook: Jess Kapp * Twitter: @Jess_Kapp * Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jess-kapp

I met Professor Lilia Cortina through our work at the ADVANCE Program at the University of Michigan and I was always impressed with her talks and the research she does on gender harassment and its implications in academia. Dr Cortina's research centers around the victimization of individuals (especially women) in the social context of work. She focuses in particular on the process by which sexual harassment unfolds, investigating women's experiences of gender disparagement, unwanted sexual overtures, and sexual coercion in organizations. Dr Cortina also studies non-sexual abuses in the workplace, particularly incivility – i.e., low-level injustices that can accumulate over time to have a significant negative impact on victims. To connect with Professor Cortina: * Faculty Profile * Website: The Cortina Lab

First off, I love Anthony Guillen for so many reasons - his authenticity and vulnerability, his love for humanity and makeup and his humor. We met through a mutual friend and I'm so grateful. Anthony Guillen resides in Phoenix, AZ. He was born in South Central LA and prides himself with being a child of Salvadoran immigrants. Anthony has a Bachelors and Masters in Social Work and is fluent in English and Spanish. He is a passionate, gay, social activist and a lover of people. He is a therapist and works with children and families in a community health agency. Anthony believes that all people are enough, loved and worthy. He believes every child deserves to be loved and is entitled to it. Anthony dreams of being on the board of education in Arizona and attaining a PhD in Education Development. Anthony prides himself on expressing his gender fluidly and living as he truly is. Some of Anthony's favorites include singing, arts and crafts, make-up, coffee and flower printed button-ups. Anthony aims to shed light on discussions of the LGBTQ+ community, privilege, trauma, immigration and gender expression.   To connect with Anthony:   * Instagram: @anthonythebrownie ​

A collective of students developed a misguided guide on budgeting whom many thought was tone deaf and insensitive. Several students "clapped back" with a guide of their own which is how I came to know Lauren Schandevel. Lauren Schandevel is a rising senior at the University of Michigan studying Public Policy with a minor in Community Action and Social Change. Originally from a working-class suburb of Detroit, Lauren's activism on campus is devoted to empowering and advocating for lower-income students.   To connect with Lauren:   * Facebook (for our organization): AffordabilityUMICH * Email: schandla@umich.edu

Elena Brower is one of those people that you just feel grounded, safe and seen around. She has come from a place of lack and worry to fully own a place of abundance and gratitude. She's humble, loving, tolerant and has a quiet strength about her that is contagious. She's generous with her time and energy and is authentic and vulnerable which always opens the door wider for others to be as well. Mama, teacher, author, speaker and Presidential Diamond leader with dōTERRA, Elena has taught yoga since 1999. Her first book, Art of Attention, has been ranked number one in design on Amazon, and has now been translated into six languages. Elena's second book, Practice You: A Journal, is a bestseller from Sounds True, now being incorporated into teaching curricula worldwide for all ages. Her Elevate Mentorship Program is beloved for adding analog creativity to online coursework. Elena has contributed to Yoga Journal, Yoga International, Huffington Post, MindBodyGreen, Well and Good NYC, Positively Positive, and more. Listen to her Audio Courses on Sounds True, and practice with Elena on YogaGlo.com. To connect with Elena: * Website: https://elenabrower.com  

I have known Rushika Fernandopulle, MD for nearly seven years and I worked for Iora Health for almost six years. He's a man of integrity, humility and seeks to provide support for humanity and he's a lot of fun. When I lived in Las Vegas, NV I always looked forward to his visits to the Las Vegas practices because his insight was unique, practical and humane. Rushika Fernandopulle, MD is a physician who has spent more than ten years involved in efforts to improve the quality of healthcare delivered to patients. He was the first Executive Director of the Harvard Interfaculty Program for Health Systems Improvement, and served as a Managing Director of the Advisory Board Company. He serves on the faculty and earned his AB, MD, and MPP from Harvard University. He completed his clinical training at the Massachusetts General Hospital.    To connect with Iora Health: * Website: www.iorahealth.com

Robyn Donaldson is an amazing human. I heard great things about her before I even had the pleasure of meeting her. She is brilliant, humble, intelligent and feels a great sense of duty serving others especially when it comes to grief. On a normal weeknight in 2013, Dr Robyn Donaldson's husband did not come home from work. He had been killed in a motorcycle accident less than a mile from their home. Adjusting to life without her husband of two short years and partner of seven was far from easy. They had bought a house together earlier that year to fit their growing family. They had been planning to get pregnant to add to their current family of two daughters from his previous marriage. Now, these things would never happen, and nothing would ever be the same. Through Robyn's work as a psychologist in private practice, she had developed significant expertise in supporting people in loss, and yet all of her experience did not make her own grief any easier to manage. As she worked to absorb the emotional and financial impacts of her husband's death, she threw herself into her work, even accepting the nomination as president of her local psychological association. As time passed, Robyn felt less and less support in her grief. Although many in her life showed love and concern, people needed to get back to the routine of their own lives. Others confessed that they felt ill-equipped to help someone in grief, and seemed to vanish for months or years. Speaking to fellow grievers, she discovered that this is all too common and makes processing grief even more challenging. In trying to adjust to her new reality, she wanted to find a way  to help others who were going through similar situations. She joined forces with Laine Campbell and Keith Brings to help create a comprehensive set of community service and gift offerings that would help people support each other more deeply in times of loss. It is her hope that SolaceClub will make it easier for both people who are suffering a loss and for people who feel uncertain as to how to help others in grief. Dr Donaldson completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology in 2011. Once licensed, she started a private practice which she continued 2 years prior to being offered a staff position with the Counseling and Psychological Services department at UNLV. In addition to her clinical work, Dr Donaldson served as Treasurer for three years and then as the President of the Nevada Psychological Association (NPA) from 2015-2016. Dr Donaldson also received an award for outstanding contributions to the NPA. She currently serves on the NPA's Executive Board as Past President. Dr Donaldson's husband died unexpectedly in late 2013. Since that time, she has been determined to use her own experiences with and clinical knowledge of coping with grief to help others who are struggling. To connect with Dr Donaldson: * Website: https://www.solaceclub.com/

Lisa Boehm is one of those souls who makes you think every time she shares, whether online or off. She has done significant self-work and is always continuing to grow as a human. Speaking with her is refreshing and she utilizes her privilege for good and she speaks truth to power. Always.  Lisa Boehm is a freelance beauty stylist in the Pacific Northwest. Lisa believes that telling the truth can be an act of love. Like James Baldwin said, “If I love you, I have to make you conscious of the things you don't see.” Lisa aims to help those she works with find their power, hoping to help deepen relationship between self and body, and facilitate self-love. 

Onawa LaBelle, PhD is one of those people that inspires others without trying. A noticeable cornerstone of her life is gratitude and service. She always remembers the folks who believed in her before she could believe in herself and she pays it forward daily without fail. Onawa LaBelle earned her PhD in the Personality and Social Contexts Program in the Psychology Department at the University of Michigan. Drawing heavily upon Positive Psychology, Onawa's work broadly aims to better understand the link between social processes, health, and well-being, with a special interest in underrepresented and at-risk populations. She investigates this link in three ways: First, by examining associations between individual differences in adult attachment styles and health. Second, by extending this work to explore links between attachment, gratitude, and positive outcomes (e.g., post-traumatic growth, social support, health) among people in recovery from Substance Use Disorder. Third, by exploring the role of gratitude and other positive psychology processes (e.g., prosocial behavior, self-efficacy, self-esteem) in the health and wellbeing of people in long-term recovery. Since earning her doctoral degree, Onawa plans to continue conducting research and teach at the University of Windsor in Windsor, ON.  To connect with Onawa: * Research lab: www.onawalabelle.com * Onawa LaBelle research lab contact form

Jen Ross it one of those people with whom you immediately feel connected. She has a warm and affirming presence that allows you to feel that your best self and living your freedom is possible. Jen Ross is a Body-Centered Psychotherapist, Spiritual Teacher, Modern Day Shaman and Social Justice Advocate. She serves as an archaeologist of the soul and a doula to your transition. Jen has been in the field for over 20 years and she currently runs her psychotherapy practice out of Boulder, CO and online. She holds sacred space for others to unwind chaos, connect to their centers, step onto their paths, heal their lineages, and peel back the layers of their lives so that they can live a truly free and purposeful life.    To connect with Jen:   * Email: jen@liveyourfreedom.com * Website: www.liveyourfreedom.com * FB: @LiveYourFreedom

Jake Conroy is an insightful soul. He's very concerned about how his actions impact the environment and humanity. He also is willing to hold companies - large or small - to a higher standard which they do not like as evidenced by his story. Jake Conroy is a long-time activist, designer, and writer based in San Francisco, California. As a co-founder of Ocean Defense International, he helped lead the first ever disruption of a whale hunt in US coastal waters, putting himself between the hunter and the hunted. He also helped build the foundation of Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty USA (SHAC USA), one of the most successful grassroots animal rights campaigns in history. Due to his involvement with SHAC USA, he was a co-defendant in the SHAC7 case and was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison. Jake is currently working at an international environmental non-profit campaigning against corporate polluters. He can also be found speaking around the US, and working on the projects he helped co-found— Bite Back Magazine, theAnimal Defense League San Francisco, and the blog Plant Based on a Budget.   To connect with Jake: * Website: www.jakeconroy.com * Twitter: Jake Conroy   Additional resources: * Rainforest Action Network (look up "rising tide") * Seattle Burrito Coalition * 5 Calls

I got a chance to speak with Scott Strode and I was blown away with how such a seemingly simple idea could have such a huge impact on recovery. And it makes sense, right? We were created for community and that's what he's created with The Phoenix. I'm looking forward to checking it out next time I'm in Denver or Boston! Scott is the founder and national executive director of The Phoenix. Phoenix offers a unique approach to combat addiction by fostering a sober, supportive, physically active community for individuals in recovery from substance use disorder. Phoenix is based on Scott's own experience and his discovery that a healthy, active lifestyle has a transformative effect on long-term sobriety. Scott also realized the critical component of surrounding oneself with a new sober supportive network of friends. Phoenix is unique in that its programs are free to anyone who has at least 48 hours of continuous sobriety. This removes a significant financial barrier to sobriety. Free programs include yoga, climbing, cycling, running, CrossFit, boxing, and socials. Since 2007, Phoenix has served over 24,000 individuals in 11 cities and 9 states with plans to expand into new communities in the near future. Scott was named a Top 10 CNN Hero in 2012, received the “Advocates for Action Award” from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, and was a TEDxMileHigh speaker in 2016. Scott's passion in life is to help others rise from the ashes of their addiction and live a full life of sobriety in long-term recovery.   To connect with Scott: * Email: scott@thephoenix.org * Website: www.thephoenix.org   Additional resources: * The Meadows * How the War on Drugs Has Changed Tunes

I've known Tia Clinton for almost two years and she's one of the amazing ones. Her light radiates and draws you in. She works hard for the things she wants. Her brilliance, intellect and drive is inspiring and Tia is funny AF. You'll always have a good time with her.  Bio coming soon... 

When I spoke with Michael about his story, I was struck by his zest for life, his humility and his general positivity. His story is a 'fall from grace and get back up and do some good in the world' type. Definitely another story of redemption as a result of not drinking. Whenever I'm in the Pacific Northwest, I will definitely do my best to meet him. Michael King is the National Director of Outreach & Engagement with Facing Addiction, a national non-profit organization dedicated to unifying the voices of the 45 million Americans and their families directly impacted by addiction. Michael's work with Facing Addiction includes national coalition building, oversight of resource development, as well as grassroots and community organizing engagement.  Prior to working for Facing Addiction, Michael worked for over a decade in the political arena, managing political campaigns in numerous states. His work included Presidential, United State Senate, and Gubernatorial elections. He served as both the Director of Communications and Campaign Director for the Washington State Democratic Party, as a political consultant for a Seattle based firm, and as the Executive Director of Washington state's Senator Democratic Campaign Committee. Additionally, Michael served as a co-chair of Faces & Voices of Recovery's Public Policy Committee, and is a 2018 JustLeadershipUSA Leading with Conviction fellow. He's the proud father of two young children and a person in long-term recovery from alcohol and gambling addictions. To connect with Michael: * Twitter: @michaelking1981 * Facebook: Michael King * Email: mking@facingaddiction.org * Website: www.facingaddiction.org  

Mariel Hufnagel is a humble soul filled with grace and dignity, but it wasn't always this way. She has an easy way about her that makes people feel comfortable in her presence. She is inspiring, down to earth and lots of fun. Mariel battled with alcohol & drug addiction, bipolar disorder and bulimia nervosa for all of her teenage years – leaving her bankrupt emotionally, financially, physically and spiritually. Mariel is formerly incarcerated, a convicted felon, formerly homeless and a sex trafficking survivor. Mariel entered recovery in May 2007 and has maintained abstinence-based recovery since then. Since 2012 in an effort to bring a face and a voice to recovery – as well as demand the civil rights of those who suffer, those who have lost their battle and those in recovery – Mariel has immersed herself wholeheartedly in mental health, addiction and criminal justice reform work. Mariel believes in health equity, person-centered systems of care and the importance of recovery support services. Mariel graduated Kean University summa cum laude with her Bachelors of Arts in Public Administration and is currently seeking her Masters of Arts in Public Administration with a concentration in Non-Profit Management. Mariel attributes much of her personal and professional success to returning to school, and believes that education is the great equalizer. Mariel has previously worked as an Advocacy Organizer with the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence – New Jersey (NCADD-NJ) and as the National Chapter Manager for Young People in Recovery (YPR). Additionally, Mariel has been recognized locally and nationally with numerous awards and featured in countless media outlets; and is recognized nationally as a dynamic and passionate advocate, servant leader, trainer and motivational speaker. She is driven by her deep desire for all people to be able to access and maintain recovery regardless of race, socioeconomic status, gender identity, sexual orientation or criminal record. Mariel is also a certified yoga teacher and a marathon runner; and during her spare time can be found traveling, drinking black coffee, or laughing and snuggling with her amazing husband Anthony.   To connect with Mariel: * Instagram: @marielharrison * Facebook: Mariel Samantha Hufnagel * Twitter: @HarrisonMariel * LinkedIn: Mariel Hufnagel

Taryn Strong is an amazing soul, bursting with life and positive energy. A firm member of the badass brigade, she advocates for multiple pathways of recovery for women. Her energy is contagious and is a source of solace and hope for women across the globe. As a recovery advocate, she hosts events all over the world specifically dedicated to creating a space for women to recover. Taryn is grateful to be in recovery from drug addiction, self harm, disordered eating and codependency. Taryn was raised by recovering parents (Dawn is her mom) so recovery has been a part of her everyday life for a long time. She completed her 300 hour yoga teaching training program in her home town of Victoria, British Columbia in 2007 after falling in love with yogic philosophies and the power of transformation through the mind/body/spirit connection. Taryn received her “Yoga of Recovery” certification at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm and her “Yoga for Trauma” certification in 2014. She has since developed a unique “Yoga for Recovery” program which integrates yoga and meditation with spirituality and recovery principles from a wide variety of recovery pathways (including but not limited to the 12 step pathway). In addition to teaching yoga classes across Victoria and leading the Yoga for Recovery program for She Recovers Retreats, Taryn's latest role is as the creator and artisan of She Recovers Malas. For more about Taryn have a look at her video. To connect with Taryn: * Website: www.sherecovers.co * Facebook: SheRecovers * IG: @tarynstrong * IG: @sherecoversla  

Talking with Fay Zenoff was so much fun and time flew by. She's grounded and very spiritual person. It's clear her recovery has settled into every cell of her body and her soul radiates this peace that is contagious. I look forward to meeting her IRL when I finally make my way to NorCal. Fay Zenoff is the driving spirit behind the emergence of the Center for Open Recovery (COR). Since being hired as the Executive Director for The National Council on Alcoholism and other Drug Addictions-Bay Area, in 2014, she has led the evolution of the 60-year old, San Francisco-based, non-profit – from that of a local direct-service provider to become a nationally recognized recovery advocacy organization focused on ending the stigma of addiction and championing life in recovery.  Fay's work, views, and personal experiences have been the subject of articles and interviews in the New York Times, Bloomberg Business Week, The California Report, KQED's Perspectives, Lauren Schiller's Inflection Point, The Fix, Facing Addiction's docu-series Out of the Shadows/Addiction Across America, Marin Magazine and others. She has been a speaker for private and public organizations, and an interviewed guest on radio shows and podcasts. She is the 2016 recipient of Constellation Behavioral Health's Courage Award for her work in the addiction and mental health fields.   Fay earned an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and a BA from Sarah Lawrence College.  Fay lives in Marin, has two daughters, a dog named Nilla and loves to hike, bike, xc-ski and SUP. Fay has been sober and in recovery since 2007.   To connect with Fay: * Website: www.openrecoverysf.org * Facebook: Open Recovery San Francisco   * Twitter: @openrecovery * Instagram: @openrecoverysf * LinkedIn: Fay Zenoff * Email: fay@openrecoverysf.org

I have yet to meet Chef Bill Haley, a brother from another mother. He's insightful and thoughtful, generous and humble. His passion for food and recovery shines through in all that he does. His artistry touches not just food and nutrition, but his genuine connection with humanity, especially those that are struggling with a life-threatening disease of substance use disorder. He's been there so he can definitely empathize with those in early recovery. Personally, I cannot wait to taste some of his food! Chef Bill Haley spent his twenties running high-end NYC restaurants with celebrity chefs, creating and learning with some of the leading culinary minds of the time. He also spent them doing drugs, losing himself in the "behind the scenes" party lifestyle. Now sober and an advocate for wellness-centered recovery programs, Chef Haley took note of a major issue in many treatment programs. While the priority was getting patients off drugs and alcohol, the junk food binging and frozen food dinners seemed to be the norm across the board. He quickly realized that you cannot put your recovery in a microwave and expect to be healthy, so why would you do it with your body? He knew that the power of healthy food could equate to a much quicker, longer-lasting, solid recovery built on permanent lifestyle changes. He has found a sustainable and extremely tasteful way to feed people so that it exponentially excels the recovery process while sparking excitement with the tastebuds! We are what we eat, so let's be beautiful and organic! Chef Haley started Culinary Recovery Food in 2016 and has been transforming the food offerings in recovery homes ever since. Changing the taste of recovery one dish at a time! To connect with Chef Bill: * IG: @culinaryrecovery * Website: culinaryrecoveryfoods.com * Email: culinaryrecovery@gmail.com  

I love Tahra Luther and have since we first met. She helped me tremendously as I navigated my move from Las Vegas, NV to Ann Arbor, MI. She has a heart that is genuine and open to all. She loves big and has a way about her that is authentic and so real. She's an inspiration to many and proclaims my life's theme song, "This Is Me!"  Tahra Luther was born in Methuen, Massachusetts and lived in Brazil for a few years as a baby. She grew up in Florida, and then moved to Michigan with her parents, where she has resided for the past 22 years. She received her BS in Zoology at Michigan State University, and MS in Molecular Cellular Developmental Biology at University of Michigan. She works as a Lab Manager doing Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Michigan, where she has worked for the past 11 years. She is very involved in her recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, as well as anxiety. She loves to constantly learn, snuggle her beautiful Schipperke pup Cedella, read fiction and personal growth books of all kinds, and spend time with her loved ones, including an abundance of close friends, family, and wonderful loving fiancé Dan. She is half Punjabi (Indian) and loves to learn about her culture. She is extremely grateful for her wonderful life and always appreciates being able to help others in numerous capacities. To connect with Tahra: * FB: Tahra Luther   Additional resource: * https://www.thetypeahippie.com/blog/how-the-war-on-drugs-has-changed-tunes

I have known Danette Galvis for years. She's one of those people that you meet that you cannot get out of your head. Her energy is contagious and she has a zest for life that is not often seen. She loves hard and well. She's a beautiful soul and I'm grateful the Divine saw fit for our paths to cross many years ago. Additional resource: * https://www.thetypeahippie.com/blog/how-the-war-on-drugs-has-changed-tunes

I met Ariel through friends of friends and immediately felt a connection to her. She's confident, likable and friendly. I thought I would like to stay connected and maybe go to tea and then found out she lived somewhere else, but thankfully we can stay connected across state lines which is what we've done and our friendship has grown. Ariel “Air” Britt is an exceptional speaker with a passion for advocacy and working with young people. She can quickly capture audiences with her distinctive personality while sharing her experience with substance use disorder and recovery. Ariel received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Master's in Social Work from The University of Michigan. She has several years of experience in recovery housing supervision, strategic planning, facilitation, and program development. Ariel has been featured in several news publications such as the New York Times and had the privilege of speaking at the White House in 2015.  She continues to be sought after nationally for addiction and recovery engagements. Ariel values relationships with family and friends above all else and her passion for fun is contagious.    To connect with Ariel:   * FB: Ariel “Air” Britt   * Instagram: @theairproject   * Email: ariel.britt@gmail.com * Website: https://thephoenix.org   Additional resource: * https://www.thetypeahippie.com/blog/how-the-war-on-drugs-has-changed-tunes

{Lead From the Heart} "I lead my team from the heart, always in alignment with who I am and with respect to who others are. I take ownership for what I create because I'm rooted in truth and I walk with integrity."   "A shift happened when I discovered that my gifts of empathy and discernment were strengths I could lead with and that leading from the heart wasn't a weakness." {Jen H}    

I am looking forward to meeting Jason Mitchell IRL (in real life) as he has a sense of ease and comfort that is not usually common today. He has an open heart and is always willing to help because he's all about being of service to others. Shortly after the mass shooting in Las Vegas, NV (my second hometown) I asked Jason if he was willing to lead a guided meditation and he was eager to be a source of support and calm during that trying time.  Jason Mitchell is an Agape Licensed Spiritual Practitioner and has been a part of the Agape community for more nearly 12 years. As the director of the sacred service ministry at Agape he enjoys introducing people to the powerful spiritual practice of service as well as supporting Agape's growth and expansion. In 2016 he joined the staff at Agape where he is the manager for the prayer ministry and the practitioner core. Whether Jason is facilitating Our Daily Prayer Call, a community which has been coming together Monday – Friday for more than 5 years, engaging creative expression through in his photography or working with clients he brings a basic principle to all that he does, “In service to love, in service as love.” With a background that ranges from working as a teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School district, serving Los Angeles' homeless population for nearly 8 years, providing spiritual counseling, facilitating classes and workshops and participating in spiritual leadership within his communities Jason has a commitment to service and knows that it is key to the transforming our individual lives and creating a world that works for everyone. Facebook: Jason D. Mitchell Instagram: @consciouslens Twitter @consciouslens Email: consciouslens@gmail.com